The Great Barrier Reef has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award in the United Nations Environment Programme’s prestigious Champions of the Earth awards. This nomination marks the first time a non-human entity has been nominated for the award, with the Reef Guardian Councils, Traditional Owners, marine biologists, the tourism industry, and Reef Guardian Schools coming together to back the nomination. The announcement was made on World Earth Day (April 22), with Reef Guardian Council C
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Hi Everyone, I had an incredible long weekend! After attending the beautiful Anzac Day services and marches, I decided to try something new and went canoeing with Outrigger Whitsundays. It was such a fantastic experience — I met a wonderful group of people, picked up a new skill, and relished the peace of being out on the water. A highlight was meeting Michelle, one of the instructors at the club, who shared that she’s an avid reader of Ruth 2 Reef. Her guidance and teaching were absolutely spe
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May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention (DFVP) Month. The aim of DFVP month is to raise community awareness of the social and personal impacts of domestic and family violence and the support available to those affected. Whitsunday Regional Council are proud to support several DVFP activities which take place across our our region, including two candle lighting ceremonies organised by Whitsunday Counselling & Support which taking on the 7th May: Bowen Town Square: 12pm VMR Cannonvale: 3
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With the Easter long weekend now behind us, we saw a slight dip in occupancy compared to last year’s long weekend. That said, the school holidays held up well, thanks to the smart calendar block where many took just three days of leave for a well-earned break. It’s been great to see that flow-on effect continue to boost visitation across the region as the holidays wind down. This week the team has been in Brisbane to represent The Whitsundays at ATE25, the 45th edition of the Australian Tourism
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This Mother's Day, why not whisk Mum away — if only in spirit — to the sun-drenched beaches of the Whitsundays? Our region is famous for its crystal-clear waters and island vibes, and this delicious, tropical cocktail brings that spirit straight to the glass. Inspired by the classic Bahama Mama, the "Mum-Ma Mama" is a celebration of all things fun, fresh, and fabulous — just like Mum. Bursting with sunny citrus flavours and layered in gorgeous sunset hues, it’s the perfect way to toast the mo
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The Whitsundays Region is proudly recognised as a Whale Heritage Listed Area, thanks to its protected waters, which serve as a critically important breeding and birthing ground for the Eastern Australian Humpback Whales. With the whales expected to arrive in just a few weeks, now is the perfect time to learn more about these incredible creatures. Special guest speakers from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority will be presenting on: Fascinating facts about humpback whales How
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The Whitsunday Regional Council is moving closer to releasing a community engagement plan regarding proposed changes to how short-term accommodation (STA) is managed across the region. Director of Regional Strategy and Planning, Neil McGaffin, confirmed last week that while no firm dates have been set, Council is aiming for a mid-June release. Once open, residents will be able to provide feedback through the Council’s online portal at yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au. Council will present areas
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The local community was rocked by the news that much-loved business owner, Tim Perkins, had suffered a severe injury after falling 10 metres from a palm tree on the 3rd December. Tim, who co-owns Whitpro Pty Ltd with his wife Norina, was performing a task he had completed thousands of times before, as an arborist— climbing and cleaning numerous palms on a local property, when the catastrophic accident occurred. Five months on and Tim is sharing his story to help create change for other spinal
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A significant fire broke out at a Hostel in Bowen early Wednesday morning, and sadly now a fatality has been confirmed. At approximately 3:30am a large-scale response was initiated by emergency services after police were alerted to a building fully engulfed in flames on Gordon Street, following reports from concerned locals. Fire crews from the local station were swiftly deployed, with three teams arriving on scene around 3:40am. The fire, located near the intersection of Brisbane Street
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Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to show your appreciation with delicious treats that are easy to prepare. Whether you decide to surprise your mum by cooking for her or enjoy the experience of making treats together, these simple yet tasty options will make the day even more special. Here are some ideas to inspire you: Mini Pancake Stacks Why It’s Great: Pancakes are an all-time favorite breakfast or brunch treat, and making mini stacks adds a fun twist. How to Make It: Prepare sm
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With just one month left until they hit the stage at Brisbane City Hall, there are still three ways the Whitsunday community can support ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ in their quest to raise money and awareness for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) and break the cycle of domestic violence across our state. The first is to ‘Plate up for DV’ in an initiative by the team mentor and WLSQ Ambassador, Katelyn Aslett-Collins. “Whether it’s a backyard barbeque, a picnic in the park, or a dinne
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The sound of swinging knives and the scent of scorched cane will return to Australia’s Sugar Cane Capital on Saturday, 31 May, as the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships take centre stage at this year’s Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival in the Burdekin. The competition—a true test of strength, technique and endurance—will see men and women from across the region and beyond battle it out in the paddock, vying for thousands in prize money and the coveted title of AHCCC Champion. Held from 1
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Given Airlie Beach is the only place in Australia to regularly feature live music 7 nights a week, the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival is thrilled to be back. The 4th annual Whitsundays Songwriter Festival takes place June 5th - 10th, 2025 with its flagship Emerging Songwriter Workshop and Concert & Conversation events on Saturday, June 7th at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival’s purpose is to develop songwriters in the Whitsundays by connecting them with world-cl
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There’s something truly special about country music and the great outdoors, which is why I’m excited for the Barra & Boots Music Festival on Saturday, 21 June. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Proserpine Campground, this one-of-a-kind event will bring together some of Australia’s top country artists for an intimate experience. With only 800 concert tickets and 150 campsites available, this event will be a unique opportunity to experience live music, camping, and the natural beauty of
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With the weather behind us, Whitsunday United Football teams were finally able to resume their season with some great performances across all age groups. The weekend kicked off with our U13 Div 1 facing Wanderers Roses in Mackay. After conceding an early goal, they made a strong comeback to win 6-1. Goals were scored by Mayson McDowall (2), Logan Prowse (1), Kobi Mcpherson (1), and Darcy Kampe (2). Mayson was named player of the match for his outstanding performance, but it was truly a team eff
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This week’s Pet of the Week is the delightful Darma, a 4-month-old Bull Arab X with a heart full of love and boundless energy! At just the right size to be a medium-sized companion, Darma is the perfect mix of playful and affectionate. She loves being outdoors, especially when there’s a ball to chase or a game to play. Her lively nature shines through as she enjoys exploring and having fun, whether she's running around with her two foster dog siblings or simply soaking up the sunshine. Darma i
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A new planning application is currently open for community consultation, proposing a new recreation activity for Airlie Beach. The application seeks approval for a “Jurassic Falls” activity centre, set to feature an 18-hole mini golf course, virtual reality and arcade games, a virtual aquarium, food and drinks, and viewing areas on both top and lower levels. The site is located at 281 Shute Harbour Road, directly adjacent to the Main Street Airlie taxi rank, and opposite Magnums and McDonald's.
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Question 1: Dawson's economy relies heavily on industries like agriculture and mining - how will you ensure long-term economic stability for Dawson's future generations? Question 2: Many young people in Dawson are looking for opportunities to stay and work locally. What will you do to ensure young people thrive without having to leave the region? Question 3: With housing affordability becoming an increasing issue in regional areas like Dawson, what is your plan? Question 4: What specific
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Hi Everyone, Almost five months ago, two dear friends faced an unimaginable tragedy when one of them fell from a tree, resulting in the loss of the use of his legs. Since that moment, the other has been by his side every single day—struggling with him, crying with him, and celebrating even the smallest victories, sometimes laughing as the days begin to get easier. Many of you in the community know Tim and Norina. They’re long-time locals and the proud owners of WhitPro. For the past five years
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What home loan fits yours needs? When it comes to choosing a home loan, one of the first big decisions is whether to go with a fixed or variable interest rate. Each option comes with its own pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your personal circumstances and financial goals. A fixed-rate home loan means your interest rate stays the same for a set period, usually between one and five years. This provides certainty — your repayments won’t change, which can be helpful for budgeting. It’
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Locals within the Mackay Whitsunday District will now be able to request a Mobile Police Beat be deployed to their local communities as part of the ‘Bring the Beat’ police engagement program that has seen success across other parts of the state. Known as the ‘police station on wheels’, the program has been helping inform police where members of the community would like to see them and giving officers on the ground more opportunities to discuss crime prevention in their neighbourhoods. Communit
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The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry's 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference will be held 9am-5pm Thursday 28 August 2025 at TAFE Queensland Whitsunday Campus, Cannonvale. This special annual event will bring the region’s business community and stakeholders together for a day of for a day of insights, connections, and game-changing ideas. The Conference will feature an interactive program of local knowledge and regional expertise from a range of industries. Wanted: Business Owners t
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Proserpine Lions Club are excited to work alongside a new generation of community-minded students from Proserpine State High School, launching the inaugural Whitsunday Leos Club. The new club was inspired by the proactive students who have worked at various community events with the Lions Club, including last year’s food stall at Show Whitsunday. Proserpine Lions Club member Jane Bettridge said club members were impressed with the students work ethic. “They wouldn’t stay still, taking their o
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After weeks of rain and wet conditions, the weather finally turned on the charm for Proserpine Golf Club members last week. Under blue skies and a cooling breeze, players made the most of the improved conditions with some impressive scoring across a packed program of competitions. Tuesday 22 April In the Stableford competition, Colin Hounsell led the way, winning the men's event with 38 points. Steve Mitchell finished runner-up on 35 points. Logan Devery picked up a two-shot win on the 2nd hole
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It was another busy and competitive week at Wangaratta Bowls Club, with players turning out in strong numbers for both midweek and weekend matches. On Tuesday, Neale Chittenden, Isobel Wheeler and Margaret Wilson teamed up to defeat Sue Shearing, Irene Laird and Maureen Hyde in a closely contested match. In other results, Deb Retchless claimed victory over Laurie Land and Ron Hyde. Although the bowls were flying and the competition was fierce, the jackpot once again remained unclaimed. Sunday
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